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- 💵 New York has a $450 million WNBA franchise!
💵 New York has a $450 million WNBA franchise!
Brian Fleurantin & Black Rosie
May 22, 2025
In partnership with
💰MONEY MOVES
THE LIBERTY’S VALUE CONTINUES TO RISE
The New York Liberty. Photo taken by Georgia Soares/Black Rosie Media
The New York Liberty continues to rise.
On May 22, Ben Pickman of The Athletic reported that the team raised capital from investors, which is now valued at $450 million. That number is a record for a women’s sports team.
In the years since the Tsais took over the team, the franchise moved to Brooklyn, reshaped its roster — adding star players such as Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones — and changed its business trajectory. By the end of last year, New York had more than 50 sponsors, up nearly 61 percent year over year, with revenue generated from such partnerships up 68 percent. The Liberty were second in the WNBA in home attendance last season, behind only the Indiana Fever.
I spoke with Catherine Carlson, Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships for BSE Global a few weeks ago. We discussed the importance of finding good partnerships, and she noted that the organization has seen gains across various areas.
The Liberty’s growth since changing ownership in 2019 has been astronomical and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
As more money comes into the WNBA, players have more leverage when they’re at the bargaining table with the league for Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.
The pie in the league is getting bigger, and players are fighting to get a greater share of it. News like this is great for the growth of the game and a sign that the money is there to reward players for all of their hard work and dedication.
LEARNING TO FLY
Paige Bueckers runs the Dallas Wings offense in her second WNBA game against the Seattle Storm. Photo Credit: Dallas Wings
It usually takes time for the team that drafted the number one pick to pick up wins. There’s usually a reason you’re in that position to grab the top pick, and the early going may not be the smoothest. Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings are going through some growing pains.
The Wings were on the road last night to take on the 2024 Commissioner’s Cup champion, the Minnesota Lynx. The game was close throughout, but the Lynx did just enough to hang on and win 85-81.
Dallas fell to 0-3, but this was the closest margin of defeat so far this season. Arike Ogunbowale broke out of her early slump as she hit five three-pointers on the way to a 21-point game.
New head coach Chris Koclanes has been working to find the right combinations, and as a rookie coach, he’s trying various things out.
“I’ve got to figure out who works well together and push those right buttons and know that they’re not always going to be happy with me. But ultimately, we’ve got to find out what those lineups are.”
The Wings are off for a few days before a national TV showdown against the Atlanta Dream on Saturday, May 24.
Paige Bueckers is also starting to find her rhythm. The rook picked up the first double-double of her career with 12 points and 10 assists.
"15 travels everytime that she touches it" - Paige to the ref 😭😭😭
— Shabazz 💫 (@ShowCaseShabazz)
12:46 AM • May 22, 2025
She and Ogunbowale have been working on finding the right balance when they’re on the court together. While they work on that, Paige is already an expert at chatting with the referees.
Gotta get started early!
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📰 WHAT WE’RE READING
At Black Rosie Media, we love to give flowers to other writers and creators in women’s basketball.
Here’s what we’re reading:
The New York Liberty prepare to hit the road by Brian Fleurantin for The Local W
How the Washington Mystics’ young talent has helped them start the season 2-0 by Eric Nemchock for Swish Appeal
Why Brittney Griner has been ‘rejuvenated’ since joining Atlanta Dream by Ben Pickman for The Athletic
The Valkyries just made history, and that’s not even the coolest part by Noa Dalzell for Breakaway
You See? Generative AI is Bad At Doing My Job by Maris Kreizman for Literary Hub
🎙 BRM PODCAST NETWORK
It’s been a busy week for the New York Liberty. They opened the 2025 season with a celebration of the 2024 title and a great win against the Las Vegas Aces. We broke it all down on the latest edition of the Gotta Get Up podcast.
On the other side of the U.S., the Seattle Storm is figuring things out under a team squarely led by Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins. Where does that leave Dominique Malonga?
Join us at 7:00 p.m. PT TONIGHT for the latest livestream of Tempestade Talk.
SANIYA RIVERS SHINES IN WNBA DEBUT
It’s been a tough few weeks for Saniya Rivers. The eighth pick in this year’s Draft had been away from the team for the past few weeks after the sudden passing of her mother, Demetria Rivers.
"Losing my mom has been the toughest thing I've ever faced in my life, and I'm playing for her. ... This night meant the world to me because this is what she wanted for me."
Saniya Rivers on her WNBA debut and the support from her team 🧡
— espnW (@espnW)
3:21 AM • May 21, 2025
Saniya returned on Tuesday night and had a great professional debut. In 25 minutes, she had 11 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block. After the game, Saniya spoke about the love and support she received from the Sun.
Peace and blessings to Saniya and her family.
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⛹🏽♀️ UPCOMING GAMES
Here’s the schedule leading up to the Memorial Day holiday
Date and time | Matchup | Broadcast details |
|---|---|---|
Friday, May 23 - 7:30 PM ET | CT Sun @ MN Lynx | ION/League Pass |
Friday, May 23 - 10 PM ET | WAS Mystics @ LV Aces | ION/League Pass |
Friday, May 23 - 10 PM ET | GS Valkyries @ LA Sparks | ION/League Pass |
Friday, May 23 - 10 PM ET | PHX Mercury @ SEA Storm | ION/League Pass |
Saturday, May 24 - 1 PM ET | NY Liberty @ IND Fever | CBS |
Saturday, May 24 - 3 PM ET | DAL Wings @ ATL Dream | CBS Sports Network |
Sunday, May 25 - 3 PM ET | CT Sun @ ATL Dream | League Pass |
Sunday, May 25 - 6 PM ET | CHI Sky @ LA Sparks | League Pass |
Sunday, May 25 - 6 PM ET | WAS Mystics @ PHX Mercury | League Pass |
Sunday, May 25 - 6 PM ET | LV Aces @ SEA Storm | League Pass |
💰MONEY MOVES
THE LIBERTY’S VALUE CONTINUES TO RISE
The New York Liberty. Photo taken by Georgia Soares/Black Rosie Media
The New York Liberty continues to rise.
On May 22, Ben Pickman of The Athletic reported that the team raised capital from investors, which is now valued at $450 million. That number is a record for a women’s sports team.
In the years since the Tsais took over the team, the franchise moved to Brooklyn, reshaped its roster — adding star players such as Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones — and changed its business trajectory. By the end of last year, New York had more than 50 sponsors, up nearly 61 percent year over year, with revenue generated from such partnerships up 68 percent. The Liberty were second in the WNBA in home attendance last season, behind only the Indiana Fever.
I spoke with Catherine Carlson, Executive Vice President of Global Partnerships for BSE Global a few weeks ago. We discussed the importance of finding good partnerships, and she noted that the organization has seen gains across various areas.
The Liberty’s growth since changing ownership in 2019 has been astronomical and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
As more money comes into the WNBA, players have more leverage when they’re at the bargaining table with the league for Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.
The pie in the league is getting bigger, and players are fighting to get a greater share of it. News like this is great for the growth of the game and a sign that the money is there to reward players for all of their hard work and dedication.
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